This 50th anniversary spotlight is with former STHA player, Steve Brown. Steve played in the STHA for 10 years from 1991 through 2001.

Steve was a defensive coach for RPI ACHA hockey from 2015 to 2019 and then rose to the head coaching position with the Engineers for the 2019-2020 season.

Check out this Q & A with Steve!

Q: What was one of your favorite hockey moments from when you played?

A: Winning the House League Pee Wee Championship with Parkway Dental and Coach Tony DiBellis.  I honestly loved all of my coaches in the STHA and had the opportunity to learn a lot from each one. I remember all of them.  In addition, my two Championships with Vestal High School are my favorite Non-STHA playing moments.

Q: How many years have you been coaching and what are some of your favorite coaching moments?

A. I've been coaching since 2001.  This includes:

• 1 Year in the STHA Squirt House
• 3 Years in the Capital Youth Hockey Association Bantam A (Albany)
• 2 Years as Varsity Head Coach for Mohonasen High School (Schenectady)
• 1 Year as Head Coach at Siena College (Albany)
• 1 Year as Head Coach at Schenectady Youth Hockey Association Bantam A
• 1 Year as Head Coach for Capital District Selects Jr. B (Troy)
• 8 Years as Assistant Coach for RPI's ACHA Program, in my 3rd Year as Head Coach (Troy)

I've been lucky enough to see several of my players over the years move onto pro hockey.  I've also had the chance to coach in the NY Rangers Youth Hockey Camp as well as do some other things with them.  I spent several years coaching at hockey school in Guelph, Ontario and had the opportunity to work with many NHL Superstars.  Some are Adam Graves, Joe Thornton, Corey Perry, Sean Burke, Dwayne Roloson, Brian Mullen, Dave Maloney, and Brendan Dubinsky. 

I would say my favorite moment was winning the Super East Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship in my first year as Head Coach at RPI.  It was fun to experience that elation and celebrate with my team and family.

Q: What advice would you give to young hockey players?

A: Make sure you are always having fun.  Also, do not specialize in hockey year-round.  Different sports train different parts of the body and mind so it is important to do a variety.

Q: What advice would you give to hockey coaches?

A: Always make certain you are coaching for the right reasons.  In addition, attend as many clinics, seminars, and conferences as you can for continuous education.  Players are constantly evolving, and coaches need to as well. 

Also, if you are a Head Coach, make sure you have an awesome staff and give everybody important roles.  I make sure to always give credit to my players and Assistant Coaches when we are doing well and take the credit when things are going poorly.  As with anything, it's your job to help create and keep a positive environment.